MIDLANDWIDE LIMITED

                                               Estate Agents

Lettings and Management

66 LODGE ROAD, WEST BROMWICH, WEST MIDLANDS B70 8PA

TEL: 0121 525 8689      FAX: 0121 686 - 8685

                   E-mail: info@midlandwide.co.uk      Website: www.midlandwide.co.uk

A GUIDE TO OUR SERVICES AND CHARGES

IN THE LETTING AND MANAGEMENT

OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

NETWORK OF BRANCHES MARKETING YOUR

PROPERTY MIDLANDWIDE

RENTING YOUR PROPERTY CAN BE VERY STRESSFUL.

FINDING SUITABLE TENANTS AND ENSURING ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ARE ADHERED TO.

AT MIDLANDWIDE LTD WE TRY TO PROVIDE A SERVICE THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUAL LANDLORD REQUIREMENTS.

 WE ALWAYS ENDEAVOR TO OBTAIN THE HIGHEST QUALITY TENANTS AND ONLY ASSOCIATE WITH THE MOST ESTABLISHED, REPUTABLE COMPANIES WHICH WE HAVE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH DURING OUR YEARS OF TRADING.

TO FOLLOW ARE DETAILS OF SERVICES WE CAN PROVIDE AND PROVISIONARY FEES ETC ARE SET OUT. PLEASE BARE IN MIND THAT WE TRY TO WORK TO INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL RATES CAN BE ARRANGED FOR MULTIPLE LETS.

HERE AT MIDLANDWIDE LTD WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR SATISFIED AND LOYAL CLIENTS AND LOOK FORWARD TO MAINTAINING A PROSPEROUS BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!

ASK US ABOUT:

Ø       MORTGAGE ADVISE on ( buy to let investments)

Ø       SAFETY STANDARDS FOR PRIVATE LETTING

Ø       LANDLORD INSURANCE (INCLUDING RENT GUARANTEE)

Ø       STUDENT LETTING

Ø       CURRENT MARKET VALUE

Ø       HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PROPERTY. TO GAIN MAXIMUM  INCOME

Ø       EPC (ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE)

Ø       GAS CERTIFICATE

Ø       ELECTRIC CERTIFICATE

OUR FRIENDLY EXPERIENCED STAFF ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HELP.

 MAKE AN APPOINTMENT NOW FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION VALUATION AND GOOD LUCK IN RENTING YOUR HOME!!

 Let Only

 Having received instruction to find suitable tenants on your behalf in the letting of your property the service you will receive from us is as follows:

        i.            Evaluate the property and make relevant suggestions that should be taken in consideration

2. Market the property. Including erect a ‘To let’ board (where requested) and also includes advertisements in the press, window displays and our in house color brochure.
3. Vet suitable tenants (including credit checks), obtain and confirm references.
4. Collect one months rent in advance, together with a deposit/bond in respect of dilapidations and/or for any non-performance of the tenant’s obligations.
5.  We complete all necessary paperwork (including an inventory).
6. Complete initial move in inspection
7. Transfer utilities into the correct name at the time.

You get all off this for a one off fee of £400 + VAT

Full Management

 Having received instruction to act on your behalf in the letting and management of your property the service you will receive from us is as follows:

1. Market the property. Including erect a ‘To let’ board (where appropriate) and also includes advertisements.
2. Complete inventory check.
3. Vet suitable tenants (including credit checks).
4. Seek full references and report back to you with them when necessary.
5. Complete all necessary paperwork (inventory).
6. Transfer utilities into the correct name at the time.
7. Collect rent on your behalf and either transfer to your nominated bank account or payment by cheque.
8. Send out a monthly statement of account to you, detailing deductions for repairs/commissions.
9. We arrange the renewal and terminations of tenancy.
10. We are tenants first point of call should there be a problem or complaint.
11. We provide regular property inspection visits whilst the Tenant(s) are in occupation of the property. Visits requested by the landlord through pre-arrangements only ( subject to additional charges – see additional fees)

 Complete piece of mind will be for a one of setting up fee of £300 + VAT and just 12% of the monthly rent.

 Inventory

 We as the Agents prepare an inventory of the contents, and also take color photographs of the condition of the property at the start of the letting and check the inventory and condition at each change over of tenants. We can only state any problems that are clear to us. On vacating the premises the inventory is checked with the tenants for any breakages and dilapidations, if any have occurred

 Any furniture that remains in the property must comply with the furniture and furnishings fire and safety regulations. This includes beds, three piece suites, dining room padded chairs, cushions, pillows and loose covers etc. The landlord makes sure that the property is made available in good and habitable condition and that all relevant furniture/soft furnishings conform to the current fire safety regulations. If the furniture or some of the furniture does not comply, we as the Agents will have authority to remove it from the premises.

 We also advise you to install smoke detectors. We recommend an inter linked system mains operated. Where you install them must comply with B.S. standards, and are in good working order and are maintained by the landlord, you should also install fire proof doors especially in a multi – let property.

The Gas Safety (installation and use) Regulations 1994 as Amended

 Regulations that you are obliged to follow are described below on any person who owns the gas appliance or gas installation pipe work in a property or a part of a property which you let.

1. To ensure that any gas appliance or installation pipe work which you own is maintained in a safe condition so it prevents risk of injury to any person.
2. To ensure that each appliance owned by you is checked for safety once a year by a registered CORGI gas engineer.
3. Keep the certificate issued to you as this shows you which appliances were checked and any problems that were found.
4. Make sure the tenants have a copy of this as well.

You must take steps to follow the regulations that are in place which are enforceable by the Health and Safety Executive. You as the Landlord(s) will be asked for your authority to a CORGI registered gas engineer inspecting the property once a year to check all the appliances and installation. The cost for his services will be deducted from the monthly rent and will be stated on your monthly statement. Unless the landlord has his own trades person.  

 We are not responsible for gas safety regulations check, you the landlord are and you must provide copies of these to the tenants and to us the agent.  Should the landlord decide to use the let only service we do not manage the property.

 Electric Equipment (safety) Regulations 1995

 This requires all electrical appliances i.e. cooker, kettles, fridge freezers, etc, between 50 – 1000 volts of alternating current and 75 – 1000 volts of direct current, to be tested and labeled by a qualified electrician. The property should cause no danger to humans or animals. The tenants should be given a booklet for each electrical appliances explaining how they should be used.

The electric regulations do not say how often the appliances should be tested, but we suggest that you have the first one done and then on the electrical inspection certificate it will state when you should approximately have the next one done.

You as the Landlord(s) will be asked to agree to a qualified electrician selected by us the Agents testing all electrical appliances once a year and the cost for this service to be deducted from your monthly rental income and will also be shown on your monthly statement. Unless the landlord has his own tradesperson.

Furnished/unfurnished Property

Furnishing, fittings and appliances to remain in the property will depend on the type of property, its situation and environment etc, and the potential rent to be achieved. Properties that are of a high standard of furnishings and appliances will attract a higher rental income than the properties that are not presented so well and the appliances are not of a good standard.

We can as the Agents are always on hand to offer you advice on what you should put in the property and what you should not put in the property. It must be noted however the furniture that you do put it to the property must comply with the fire and safety regulations.

Utilities

At all times the tenant is responsible for paying all the utility bills no matter what kind of tenancy agreement they have signed. The only time the tenants do not pay the utility bills is when the landlord has agreed to pay them with us the agent. The landlord only pays the bills when the property is unoccupied. The utility bills are Gas, Electric, Water and council taxes.

We take the meter readings at the beginning of tenancy and when they terminate their tenancy. These readings are noted down on the inventory and are shown to the tenants. We also write to all the utility companies at the beginning of tenancy and at the end of tenancy so they can update their records with current information on the new occupants.

You as the landlord will remain responsible for the condition of the necessary supply at the beginning of the tenancy. You will be asked to cover us as the agent against any outstanding accounts that are your responsibility.

Management of Vacant Properties

For vacant properties or empty periods between let’s and also when tenants have vacated the properties and they have been left unoccupied, Midlandwide does not offer a management service nor takes any responsibility for any damage, injury or liability issues that may arise at the property during this period. A vacant property caretaking service can be provided at an additional cost to the landlord subject to terms and conditions (Consult your representative).

Cleaning

Midlandwide Ltd. can offer the Landlord a caretaking service for empty or vacant periods when the property has no tenants in occupation. Details for this service are available upon request and by the signing of a new agency agreement.

But we do recommend that if your property consists of room lettings then it would be better for you to hire a cleaner, as that way none of the tenants can complain that the Rota is not being followed by any of the other tenants and the property is kept clean. This is also an important service when properties are empty. If the property is clean at the start of the tenancy, this show a high standard and potential tenants will be more interested in the property.

General

1. You must remove all items from the property that you do not wish to remain there prior to the beginning of the tenancy and in particular those of value to you and those not easily replaceable.
2. Arrange for appropriate tradesmen to affect the necessary repairs and/or decoration to a maximum cost of £300 plus VAT. In excess of this amount we will obtain your approval before hand (except in cases of emergency).
3. You as the landlord must retain landlord’s buildings and contents cover where applicable and inform your insurer(s) that tenants will occupy the property. We can arrange insurance for you should you prefer, through an approved company.
4. We always ask the tenants to set up a standing order to pay their monthly rent. This will be accounted to your account on a monthly basis.
5. We can only release outgoings on your behalf where money is available from the rental payments. Also this will be shown on your monthly statement which shows you a breakdown of any money deducted from your rent and what it is for.
6. Please ensure that all water pipes and storage tanks are tagged to present recommended standard details of which are available from local/water authorities.
7. If we become aware of any tenants in breach of the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement we will notify you as soon as possible. We will then take reasonable action on your behalf.
8. You the landlord agree to us the agent signing the tenancy agreement on your behalf.
9. The landlord agrees to cover the Agent against any outstanding bills changes incurred at the property that are the responsibility of the landlord.

 Termination of Agreement

The agreement between us may be terminated on the following terms:

a)     By us as the agent

                                            i.            Where you the landlord fail to adhere to the terms and conditions of the tenancy Agreement rendering it unenforceable

                                          ii.            Failure on your part as the landlord to abide by the terms of the Agreement between us.

                                        iii.            Giving the landlord one month’s notice in writing. Such notice to be sent to your last known address.

b)     By you as the landlord giving us as Agents three months notice of termination in writing.

We as Agents are entitled to our fees during the entire term of the Agreement.

Stamp Duty

Should it be essential for the stamp duty to be paid, you as the landlord agree to cover the Agent against the costs involved.

Ownership of Property

We as the Agents reserve the right to see proof of ownership of the property. Where a property is jointly owned, the Tenancy Agreement must be in joint names.

VAT

All costs are quoted exclusive of VAT at the prevailing rate.